# NTSB ANC90LA062: Piper PA-31-350, N4109E, Deadhorse, AK, April 17, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 16, 1990, 18:04 local (Apr 17, 1990, 02:04 UTC)
- Place: Deadhorse, AK
- Coordinates: 70.430061, -149.289443 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=70.4301&lon=-149.2894&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5357
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC90LA062
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5357/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90LA062

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF THE NOSE BAGGAGE DOOR.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb
  - door,cargo/baggage - failure,partial (cause)
  - door,cargo/baggage - unlatched (cause)
  - door,cargo/baggage - unlocked (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, company maintenance personnel (cause)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB THE NOSE BAGGAGE DOOR OPENED, AND AN ENGINE COVER SEPARATED AND STRUCK THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZER. THE BAGGAGE DOOR HANDLE LATCHING MECHANISM SPRING THAT EXERTS PRESSURE TO CLOSE THE HANDLE WAS FOUND MISSING. THE OPERATOR HAD ALSO MODIFIED THE LATCHING MECHANISM TO INCLUDE A NON-APPROVED SAFETY DEVICE DESIGNED TO PREVENT INADVERTENT OPENING OF THE BAGGAGE DOOR. THE OPERATOR DID NOT REQUIRE THAT THE BAGGAGE DOOR BE LOCKED FOR FLIGHT, AND KEYS WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4109E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4109E-1996-08-16), registration cancelled 1996-08-16, S/N 318353003 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-350
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31-350](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-350) (registry code 7103110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31-8353003
- Airframe hours: 4019
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540-J 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Cape Smythe Air Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 5, 1990, 25 hours before
- Destination: BTI, BARTER ISLAND, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: PASL, Deadhorse

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial, flight engineer, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,988 total, 235 in this make and model, 4,014 as pilot in command, 227 in the last 90 days, 101 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 25 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19900416009509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900416009509A), Apr 16, 1990: Piper PA31350, Deadhorse, AK, Substantial damage. Baggage door opened on climb. Engine cover damaged horizontal stabilizer. Locking spring missing. Wrong restraint.

## Other investigations on N4109E (2)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ANC96FA078](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96FA078), May 24, 1996: Piper PA-31-350 (N4109E), Point Hope, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate preflight to ensure the nose baggage door was properly latched, and the subsequent opening of the baggage compartment door, which allowed items to collide with the left…
- [NTSB ANC86LA099](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC86LA099), Jul 4, 1986: Piper PA-31-350 (N4109E), Barrow, AK, substantial damage

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.